Cottbus, Germany - Energie Cottbus coach Bojan Prasnikar is to leave the club after Sunday's Bundesliga play-off game against Nuremberg.

Cottbus president Ulrich Lepsch said Saturday it was agreed to release the 56-year-old Slovenian from his contract irrespective of the outcome of Sunday's game.

Cottbus appear to be on the verge of relegation after losing the first-leg match 3-0 at home on Thursday to Nuremberg, who finished third in the second division.

"We analysed the season together and discussed whether it made sense to continue our cooperation beyond the present season," he said.

"To give Energie Cottbus a new start next season, Bojan Prasnikar asked us to have his contract terminated and we have agreed to this."

Prasnikar, 56, took control at Energie Cottbus in September 2007 and kept the club in the first division.

"That was a marvellous performance for which we have to be grateful in the first instance for his footballing knowledge and experience, " Lepsch added.(dpa)